Saturday, May 31, 2014

In this first companion novel to the Earth’s Magick
series, Decker tells his incredible, and sometimes painful, life story. For
over 2,000 years, he has fought to survive and find his place in this
ever-changing world. Beginning in a remote village in ancient Saudi Arabia, he
takes the reader with him to Egypt, Rome, Gaul, Ireland, Scotland, Africa, and
finally to the New World. Earth’s Magick
readers will relive Decker’s incredible adventures and his most intimate
secrets.

Immediately in my mind for some reason I imagined this hybrid from Old London
and American Pioneer days so I was really excited and intrigued by him. He
struck me as what people used to describe guys when they would say ''he's a
man's man.'' I always admired those time periods so that was where my research
initially started as well. - Dustin Compton

Friday, May 30, 2014

Blurb:
In
a time of false peace, the dead rise as soldiers for the Warloc’s
scheme. For thousands of years he has stood ready for the final
battle. Though the witch and her cursed Elvin have destroyed his
physical body, now with his protégé, he has honed a new way to wage
war.

Shunned by her own people and weary-hearted from
centuries of lost loves, Elvin warrior Mirhana scours the land to
silence the undead. Her heart has turned as cold as the sword she
wields, until a prince seeks her aid.

Never has Prince Landon
met a woman like Mirhana. Both beautiful and deadly, she haunts his
dreams. The battle at hand becomes more enchanting than fighting to
remain true to his unseen betrothed.

When a traitor emerges,
new alliances are tested and the only remaining hope is to follow the
prophecy and find the ... Son of Dragons.

Excerpt:

Clean
from the bath, Landon let the air from the open window dry his hair.
Dressed only in trousers, he leaned against the windowsill.

He
thought he smelled the hint of roses and heat on the breeze. Movement
from the street below caught his eye. He leaned out, squinting into
the night.

Torches
lined the cobbled street corners. A cloaked figure waited. Then the
innkeeper rushed outside. His hands flew in gestures as the figure
nodded.

Then
he pointed to the window where Landon watched. At the same instant,
the cloaked figure followed his finger’s path to Landon. Green eyes
that seemed to glow met his.

Landon
jumped up and cursed when his head hit the bottom of the window. When
he looked back, both figures were gone.

Thinking
the innkeeper would send guards, he waited with his sword in hand and
his stare riveted on the door. No one came. He must be getting
paranoid, thinking there was a ghost or enemy around every corner.
His eyelids grew heavy as he waited for a fight that failed to
materialize. Finally, he rolled his shoulders back to ease out the
tension.

Still,
he couldn’t stop thinking about those piercing emerald eyes. They’d
belonged to a woman; he could tell. There was intelligence andcunning
in them. Her stare felt as though she saw through the façade he
often wore as prince and to please others, and into hiskajh.

A
woman who was not afraid, but used to being feared. It unnerved him,
yet excited him. His pulse quickened and his loins tightened at the
thought of those eyes filled with passion for him.

Better
get some sleep before the night was gone. Tomorrow, he’d tell
Gillespie about what he saw. He doubted he could explain those
captivating green eyes that continued to haunt him even now.

Reviews:

“We
are introduced to new and wonderful creatures, and meet up with those
we know and love from the first book, as each character's unique role
and journey begins to intersect... and each will have a pivotal role
in the outcome of an epic battle that is about to take place.
Deception, self discovery, and sacrifices will be made, as each
character's true role is uncovered... and in these magical lands,
nothing is at it seems…Still, the book builds on the last with new
and enchanting worlds, exciting creatures, and breathtaking
originality. ..A really fun read, and a complimentary addition to the
Legends of Oblivion series!” 4 1/2 stars Moonrise Book Blog

Legends of Oblivion
series:

The
Garnet Dagger
– Book 1 in the Legends of Oblivion series

Cursed
in Shadow
– Book 1.5 in the Legends of Oblivion series

Son
of Dragons
– Book 2 in the Legends of Oblivion series

Andrea’s
Bio:
Growing up in Houston, Texas, Andrea has always created characters
and stories. But it wasn't until she was in her late twenties that
she started writing novels.

What
happened that ignited the writing flame in her fingers? Divorced, and
disillusioned by love songs and stories. They exaggerate. She
thought. Love and Romance are not like that in the real world. Then
she met her husband and realized, yes love and romance are exactly
like the songs and stories say. She is now a happy wife, and a mom to
three kids (two boys and a girl).

Andrea
writes paranormal and historical romance. When not writing or
reading, one may find Andrea dancing in Zumba.

She
believes in the power of change and counting each moment as a
blessing.
But most importantly, she believes in love.

Tuesday, May 27, 2014

Kindle is fighting to survive on her own, to break free from her
possessive and violent ex-boyfriend, and trying not to let her best
friend, Anna, know she’s in love with her husband. Most of all, she
fights the visions she sees of the past—she doesn’t believe in
that kind of stuff.
Then Anna is shot and killed.

In their grief, Kindle and Ty,
Anna’s husband and Kindle’s Taekwondo instructor, grow closer.
Although Kindle is careful never to let him too close, he helps her
learn to accept that her visions are real. Eventually, the truth
about Anna’s death breaks through into Kindle’s visions, and she
must find a way not to let it destroy her.

M.S. Kaye has several published
books under her black belt. A transplant from Ohio, she resides with
her husband, Corey, in Jacksonville, Florida, where she tries not to
melt in the sun. Find suspense and the unusual at www.BooksByMSK.com.

I fought the visions. My mother used to tell me my expression
turned stupid when I had them, but I didn’t care about that so much
anymore. I hated when the visions were true somehow, actual bits of
the past. I didn’t believe in that kind of stuff.

Chapter 1: Fight

“She’s such a snob,” one of the
young women whispered on the other side of the locker room.

I stayed faced away, trying not to hear
their gossip. I tugged my jeans on and pulled my shirt over my head.
When I glanced in the mirror to fix my hair, I barely saw the dark
brown framing my fair skin—only the way the other girls looked at
me. I bent over to pick up my shoes.

“The guys don’t even ask her out
because she’s so stuck up.”

I didn’t understand why they thought
like this about me, but I didn’t much care anyway. As soon as I had
my shoes on, I threw my gear bag over my shoulder and walked out.

Master Trahem was on the workout floor
sparring with Mr. Schmidt. Master Trahem’s uniform was starting to
come open, and sweat glistened on his well-built chest.

I looked away.

“Bye, Kindle,” Mrs. Trahem said as
I passed the front counter. “See you tomorrow.”

I smiled at her, one of the few people
I reserved my genuine smile for. She was a big part of the reason I
came in early to help every day, her and her atrocious typing skills.
She always held her fingers above the keys like a fisherman wielding
a spear, as if expecting them to squirm out from under her aim.

But honestly, helping with data entry
was just an excuse—Mrs. Trahem was the best person I’d ever
known, and I felt calmer when I was around her.

“You’ll be there early, right?”
Mrs. Trahem added. She tucked her silky dark hair behind her ear.
There was a grace to her movement. No wonder Master Trahem had
married her so quickly. At twenty-nine, she was a few years older
than me but looked just as young.

“Definitely.” Then I kept walking.
Before I gave into the urge to turn and watch Master Trahem.

The girls from the locker room followed
me out into the parking lot. I sat in my car and started the engine.

While I drove the forty-five minutes
home, I fought to stay awake. At least traffic at nine-thirty at
night was thin. I always missed rush hour. I left my apartment before
six every morning and didn’t return until after ten. Being tired
felt normal.

As I pulled up to my building, I
examined each car. I knew to whom each of them belonged, as well as
half my neighbors’ friends’ cars. The girl across the hall traded
boyfriends every week. She drove me nuts.

I had no way of knowing what Chris was
driving. I had to know which cars were supposed to be here in order
to know if there was a new one. Most of my neighbors drove beaters
like me, and Chris had always liked something flashy. But with him, I
couldn’t depend on consistency. He was smart.

I recognized all the cars tonight. I
parked under the streetlight and kept the door locked while I pulled
my gear bag onto my lap and slipped the strap over my shoulder. Keys
ready, I jumped out of the car and jogged up the steps. I hated
apartment buildings in Florida. The halls were open, no security
doors to block unwanted visitors from knocking on your front door,
from lurking in shadowy corners.

Within about ten seconds, I was up the
stairs, down the hall, and at my door. Just being able to move
quickly without running out of breath was worth the cost of Taekwondo
classes. I felt more confident, less scared.

My door unlocked, I glanced down the
hall one more time then slipped inside. I closed the door, locked it,
and flipped the lights.

I was not alone.

He was right there, tall, thick, and
blond as always. I was seeing as clearly as if through acid. I
blinked to make sure he was really there. I always did that. It was
stupid.

Chris was always there.

Thanks everybody for stopping by. M. S. Kaye and I are swapping spotlights today. Please take a minute and check out Her Cracked Heart at http://booksbymsk.com/?page_id=28

Saturday, May 24, 2014

I am thrilled to have Kat Holmes in the hot seat today! Let's get started.....

1: Tell us about yourself and what makes you tick and what
you like to do when you aren’t writing.

Well, I’m a total cat person. I have two and they make life
quite an adventure. I also enjoy music and reading. I spend most of my free
time either reading or listening to audio books.

2: Tell us about your family – married? Kids? Where you
live!

I’m not married and I don’t have children, though my kitties
qualify as my kids. :-) Currently I live in Alabama. I used to live in NJ and miss it.
We don’t get winter down here at all.

3: What brings you instant joy? Do you have a pet peeve?

My mom and my cats are the joys in my life. My pet peeve
would be people who park their carts right in the middle of the aisle and then
take their time getting what they want, thus guaranteeing no one else can get
what they want or get around them.

4: What about weekly TV show? Why?

Agents of Shield. I am a huge Marvel fan and I love anything
connected to it.

Seeker is book 2 in my Hekate’s Web series. It’s my take on
vampires. The hero, Atu is charged by the goddess Hekate with finding a magical
orb before their enemies get it. To do that he kidnaps human psychic Edeline
Comstock. But she has a few secrets of her own and before everything is over
she just might bring Atu to his undead knees.

8: Where did you come up with the idea for your story?

Well, its book 2 of a series. I am currently writing book 3.
The idea for the series came about from my love of both Greek mythology and
vampires.

It’s available from Muse It Hot Publishing, Amazon, Barnes
& Noble, and quite a few other vendors too. :-)

Atu
is an ancient warrior and vampire long in the service of his king. He
has no desire for home or family. But when the Goddess Hekate tasks him
with finding an ancient artifact before his enemies do, he is forced to
enlist the aid of a woman who drives him crazy.

Edeline
Comstock has the sight and has been cursed and reviled for it by her
family. When she finds herself under attack from a monster, a dark and
dangerous man is her only salvation, or he might be her destruction.

Forced
to aid Atu, time is running out to uncover the secrets of the past. But
a far greater danger stalks Edeline, one from which there may be no
return.

Friday, May 23, 2014

Freelance
journalist, Genevieve Parker, has just been handed the biggest story
of her career. But there’s one problem…Going undercover as a
submissive in one of the most exclusive BDSM clubs in the world was
more than she bargained for. But that’s nothing compared to the man
she meets there. Andreas Contos. Her assignment. Gorgeous. Powerful.
Mysterious. Genevieve is fascinated…intrigued. But does her intense
attraction and willingness to go places with him she’s never gone
before sexually really have to do with writing her exposé? Feeling
confused and overwhelmed, every instinct tells her to run before her
professional facade comes crashing down…before she has to choose
between obligation and desire….

One
elusive billionaire…

Greek
billionaire, Andreas Contos, is more than he seems. Between the
powerful company he keeps and the secrets that lurk behind closed
doors, trusting anyone is out of the question – especially the lush
and sensual woman he just met. But there is something different about
Genevieve – a guarded nature he’s anxious to penetrate. Unable to
resist her, Andreas proceeds in taking her under his wing for the
night to show her his world – a world of exquisite pleasure. As the
two of them get deeper in exploring the eroticism of mind and body,
danger watches them from the shadows…

Halle
Blake has landed her dream job as creative director for M & G,
one of the largest luxury goods conglomerates in the world. But
before officially stepping into her new role, she decides to
celebrate by taking off to Tahiti for some fun in the sun. While
there she meets a tempting and gorgeous photographer who sweeps her
off her feet. But upon her return, all tanned, revived and feeling
fabulous, Halle comes face to face with the biggest shock of her
life…

Bella
Ross is a writer with many passions, two of which are writing and
travelling. She wrote her first book (a novel) at eighteen a la
Jackie Collins. But back then, unbeknownst to her, life was about to
take her on a detour. As she set off on her new course, her dream of
writing took a backseat and her entrepreneurial spirit flourished
instead. But after many years of worldly pursuits, the urge to write
returned and the time was right to follow her bliss.

She
believes its never too late to follow your dreams/bliss.

Her
books/stories are her first attempt at erotic romance. She loves the
genre and its endless creative possibilities. She likes pairing bold
and dynamic (Alpha) men with sexy and strong women – which in her
opinion – make for a hot and sizzling combination. With her love of
travel, it is no surprise that her ‘Wanderlust Series’ take place
in glamorous capitals or exotic locales around the world. Its the
perfect backdrop/setting for her characters to explore and indulge
their lusts and passions, loves and desires.

When
she’s not writing, she’s reading, or gallivanting all over
seeking new inspiration, or people watching while enjoying a latte at
Starbucks and jotting down ideas.

She
loves to hear from readers, and looks forward to interacting through
her social media channels. You can also sign up for her mailing list
to be notified about new releases and promotional offers.

Wednesday, May 21, 2014

Jobless, broke, and struggling to
support herself and her invalid mother, paramedic Sophie Miller
doesn’t have time or energy for a relationship. Especially with her
mother’s clock ticking down. So when the sexy cowboy she meets at a
carnival proposes a no-strings, one-night stand, she’s all over it.
Until her one-night stand shows up again and turns out to be
everything she’s ever wanted.

Tucker Haywood has his hands full
running Paint River Ranch and trying to deal with all the changes
pulling the rug out from under him. His past has taught him it’s
better to keep women at arm’s length, for their sake. Stubborn and
temperamental, Tucker doesn’t have a clue how to deal with a city
girl who’s scared of squirrels and dirt.

So when Sophie gets under his
skin, he has to do whatever it takes to push her away. Even if it
means losing the part of himself he never thought he’d find.

Elizabeth Otto grew up in a
Wisconsin town the size of a postage stamp, where riding your horse
to the grocery store, and skinny dipping after school were perfectly
acceptable. No surprise that she writes about small communities and
country boys. She's the author of paranormal romance, and hot,
emotional, contemporary romance, and has no guilt over frequently
making her readers cry. When not writing, she works full-time as an
Emergency Medical Technician for a rural ambulance service. Elizabeth
lives with her very own country boy and their three children in,
shockingly, a small Midwestern town.

Where do I live? More often than not, it feels like I live “Down-The-Rabbit-Hole.

Where would I like to live? Many of my books take place in the
mountains with few if any neighbors around. Someday.

If you
could travel anywhere in or out of this world, where would it be?

I’ve often fantasized about visiting Scotland. We have some
lo-o-o-n-n-ng ago ancestors from there. I’d LOVE to see Pompeii…and of course
the Anasazi ruins here in the US…The pyramids in South America…Petra…Nazca
Drawings…I’m fascinated by history, especially the amazing remnants of
technology supposedly beyond the capabilities of the times.

I’d also love to visit Atlantis and Lemuria…are they myth or legend? I
believe in all myths there is a core of truth…so Yeah, I’d very much like to
visit those two lands.

What
brings you instant joy?Do you have
a pet peeve?(not necessarily
about writing)

Seeing our elder cat curled up on Kat’s hip, both of them peacefully
sleeping.

Do I have a pet peeve? Now that I live in the south, outrageously high
sales tax on EVERYTHING...food and clothing NOT exempt!

Groceries and clothing are NOT luxury items. They SHOULD be exempt!

What
about weekly TV show?Why?

Since Mark Burnett brought American TV the wonders of REALITY TV, I
rarely watch any of it…I mean seriously…BooBoo a star? Duck Dynasty? Why would
I want to watch celebrity Reality TV?

I used to watch NCIS, but since the character of Ziva left…not so much!

What
is the scariest situation you have ever been in?

I grew up in the country… so it’s sort of a tie…collecting eggs each
morning from hens with big attitudes. (They need to invent Kevlar gloves for
egg collectors on farms.)

Bats…bats belong outside…not hanging from the door knob right across
the hall from my bedroom door…knocking on my door when it go weird and tries to
escape. (Bats make this horrific, unforgettable sound when a dad is beating
them into submission with a broom.)

If you
could have any fantasy, what would it be?

I’d be perpetually a size 4 and never look older than 25. (I guess I
need a clinically blind vampire.)

(I WANT THAT FANTASY, TOO!)from Penny

Now,
Tell us about your book?

THE PENDULUM SWINGS tells the story of Siri, an Egyptian slave woman
owned by a Roman Centurion…mother of hid two illegitimate children, and the
love of his life. Siri’s also a beautiful woman who’s caught the eye of her
Centurion’s senior officer…a man who doesn’t like Siri spurning him, and his
underling denying him what he obsesses over.

One night the senior officer catches her out on the streets of Rome, demands she give him
what he wants…when she refuses, he buries his sword in her belly.

Moments later she awakens in a modern hospital in the body of another
woman…a woman married to a handsome man who loathes her, and the mother of an
adorable little girl.

At first she doesn’t know who she is…but as memory returns Siri does
not understand why the man claiming to be the husband of the woman, whose body
she now inhabits. How will she survive in this modern time with no one to care,
no one to help? But, she decides, at least she had the little girl…she so ached
for her two lost children back in Rome…she’d
focus on her daughter…and ignore the handsome man who hates her.

Where
did you come up with the idea for your story?

I am drawn to the ancient civilization. The technology and sciences
they had they should not have had has always intrigued me. Although very little
of this story actually takes place in ancient Rome, Siri called to me. She needed her story
to be told.

When
you wake up in a strange room, that's bad, but when you wake up in a
strange body, time, and everyone hates you, that's REALLY bad...and
terrifying.

What
do you do when your last memory is being skewered to death and your
next is waking up in the body of another, thousands of years in the
future?

You
set out to be yourself and win over these future beings of course,
because for some reason, the gods of your time have decided this is
where you are supposed to live out the rest of your life.

Follow
Siri as she belly dances, laughs, and teases her way through the
distrust of the woman whose body she now inhabits, turning an entire
household of haters into her
staunchest fans...except for him. Can she win him over, or is he
determined to only see the shell of who she used to be?

Friday, May 2, 2014

Tell us all about yourself and
what makes you tick and what do you like doing when you aren’t
writing!

My life consists of visualizing dreams.
My full-time job is as a high school theatre teacher, where I teach
200 students theatre history, acting, theatrical design and more.
When I’m not working, I enjoy seeing theatre, acting, singing, and
traveling. If I am away from the stage for too long, I miss it. I
tend to burst into song just for fun, even in the middle of my
classes. Theatre and writing are my two greatest passions, and I am
overjoyed to share them with others.

2. Tell us about
your family – married? Kids? Where you live!

As of my writing in this interview, I
am unmarried. However, my wedding is in a month and a half. Lately,
much of my “free time” has been spent in planning the wedding. I
live with my fiancée Rachel, just north of Washington DC. We live
literally one block from the city line.

If you could travel anywhere in or
out of this world, where would it be?

Either Rivendell or Hogwarts, both
would be amazing.

What is your favorite all time
movie?

Just one? Really? It’s very hard to
narrow down a single movie, but I’d probably pick The Princess
Bride. Other all-time favorites include Howl’s Moving
Castle, The Incredibles, and Lord of the Rings: the
Return of the King

What about weekly TV show? Why?

My favorite TV show is unfortunately
not a weekly one, and in the three seasons there have only been nine
episodes. The show is BBC’s Sherlock. I find the writing,
cinematography, and acting to be wonderful, and I love the modern
spin on classic Holmes stories. For weekly TV shows, I’d probably
say How I Met Your Mother for two reasons, one it’s
hilarious, and two, I tell really, really long anecdotes myself- in
fact my students over the summer, where I teach at an elementary-age
theatre, used to call me Ted Mosby.

What is the most scared you have
ever been?

I was in a bad car accident on the
Capital Beltway (a highway that circles Washington DC) during
college, and saw my entire life pass before my eyes. For two years
following the accident, I refused to drive. I’ve since recovered,
but it was frightening.

If you could have any fantasy,
what would it be?

It would be wonderful if my book was so
popular that it first became a bestseller, then was turned into
films, then was hired by Disney to be adapted as a stage production.
In this fantasy, Disney asks me to write the stage version and to
design the sets. I mention Disney specifically, because they have
more money than any other Broadway-based company. What ever I wished
to design, would happen, with no budget restrictions. To be able to
design a set and write a script for a show based on my book would be
my ultimate dream come true.

Now, Tell us about your book?

Can a timid girl find bravery as the
first female Death?

Thirteen-year-old Suzie Sarnio always
believed the Grim Reaper was a fairy tale image of a skeleton with a
scythe. Now, forced to enter the College of Deaths, she finds herself
training to bring souls from the Living World to the Hereafter. The
task is demanding enough, but as the only female in the all-male
College, she quickly becomes a target. Attacked by both classmates
and strangers, Suzie is alone in a world where even her teachers want
her to fail.

Caught in the middle of a plot to
overthrow the World of Deaths, Suzie must uncover the reason she’s
been brought there: the first female Death in a million years.

SCHOOL OF DEATHS, a YA Fantasy novel,
will be released by MuseitUp Publishing as an ebook on May 2nd.

Where did you come up with the
idea for your story?

The idea for School of Deaths emerged
when I was finishing my graduate degree at Oxford University. I
spent four months abroad, far from everyone I knew. Every week, I
traveled somewhere I had never been before. I would climb castle
ruins in Wales and visit cathedrals in England. One of my favorite
trips was to Tintagel Castle in Cornwall. I crept to the cliff face
of Barras Nose, a stony peninsula jutting into the North Sea and
overlooking the ruins of Tintagel, which some believe to be the
birthplace of King Arthur. It was dawn, there were no other people
in sight, and I had to struggle against the wind, fighting to keep my
balance so I didn’t crash into the ocean. I imagined being
buffeted by winds, alone, and what that would do to a character, and
came up with the character of Suzie, alone in a world of men,
buffeted by sexism.

Returning to Oxford, I envisioned Suzie
alone in a strange school. The idea of a school of trained Reapers
appealed to me, giving a fantasy edge to her story. In an early
draft, the school of deaths resembled Oxford. However a beta reader
told me, very correctly, that Oxford was the inspiration for JK
Rowling’s Harry Potter series. I eventually changed the setting
drastically to avoid that parallel.

What is your favorite thing about
writing?

In his book, On Writing, Stephen
King compares writing to telepathy. I can take an image from my
dreams, a fantasy that exists only within my imagination, and
transfer that image directly into a reader’s thoughts. Such
communication is only possible to this degree through books. I can
convey Suzie’s inner thoughts, share the smells and tastes around
her, and share an entire new world through the written word. That is
the true magic of books, a magic that is real.

What is your biggest pet peeve
about writing?

I have a few, including the shrinking
publishing industry. With self published books, there are more books
than ever on the market, yet the number of readers continues to
shrink.

That’s a peeve, but my biggest pet
peeve related to writing is actually a criticism of the American
public schooling system, which I am a part of. Common Core, a new
government mandated program forced onto all of the school systems is
designed, among other things, to make reading such a chore, that
fewer students will be reading for pleasure. It is frustrating to
write when so many are working to make reading less desirable.
Hopefully, kids will still find pleasure in books, despite the new
system.

Thirteen-year-old Suzie
Sarnio always believed the Grim Reaper was a fairy tale image of a skeleton
with a scythe. Now, forced to enter the
College of Deaths, she finds herself training to bring souls from the Living
World to the Hereafter. The task is
demanding enough, but as the only female in the all-male College, she quickly
becomes a target. Attacked by both
classmates and strangers, Suzie is alone in a world where even her teachers
want her to fail.

Caught in the middle of a
plot to overthrow the World of Deaths, Suzie must uncover the reason she’s been
brought there: the first female Death in a million years.

Chapter One

The Girl Who Looked like Death

She wanted to scream but no sound came. She wanted to run, but her legs wouldn’t move. The hooded man grinned.

Suzie’s
heart pounded as she opened her eyes. Laughter echoed in the back of
her head. The terrible laughter she heard every night. She wiped the
sweat from her face, pushing aside the sheets. Sunlight spilled into her
room from between frilly curtains. Mom would be knocking on the door to
wake her soon.

She
turned to one side as the dream started to fade. Every night the same
nightmare. Every night she heard the laughter. The hooded man with a
scythe. The feeling of complete terror.

What did it mean?

Above
her clock radio, a worn teddy bear stared at her with its single eye.
She pulled the bear to her chest and clutched it with her bony fingers.

Suzie Sarnio.
The hooded man had written her name down. He always wrote it right
before the laughter began. The man looked like Death. But why would
Death have a stammer?

“Suzie,” said Mom, knocking on the door. “Come on, you’ll be late for school.”

“I’m coming.”

Suzie
changed, staring at the mirror in her pink-wallpapered room. Each rib
stuck out from her chest; she counted all twenty-four. The skin on her
face stretched tightly over her skeletal face, and dark patches
surrounded each of her gray eyes. As much as she tried to comb it, her
long black hair tangled into stringy knots. Her arms hung from her
shoulders like twigs, and her legs looked too weak to hold her up. In
the past few months, she had lost nearly half of her weight. She glanced
at an old picture, taken last year, on the first day of seventh grade. A
chubby, pigtailed girl with freckles smiled back at her from the photo.
Her braces gleamed in the sun, only a month before their removal. Suzie
sighed. She opened the door, looking for a moment at her room. She
didn’t want to start another year of school. Slowly, she turned around.

“Hey, squirt, watch out,” said Joe.

“Sorry.” Joe was a pest and a bully, but he was her big brother, and Suzie supposed she loved him.

“Get your skinny butt out of the way already. We’ve got a run before school.”

“Later.”
He winked at Suzie. “Have fun at school.” He ran out the front door,
slamming it behind him, while Suzie went to the kitchen and sat down.

“I’ve made you a special breakfast,” said her mother, carrying a plate and a glass of orange juice.

“Let me guess, something big.”

“I’ve
made three eggs, two slices of sausage, four pieces of toast, two
slices of bacon, a bowl of oatmeal with raisins, and a doughnut.”

“Mom, I keep telling you, I eat as much as I can.”

“You’re
skin and bones, literally. Your father and I are worried sick. You have
another appointment with Dr. Fox after school today. Did you take your
pills this morning?”

“No, Mom, but I will.”

Suzie gave up arguing. Her parents, friends, and doctors were wrong. She didn’t want to
lose weight. Everyone kept talking about anorexia, about eating
disorders. The strange thing was Suzie ate more than she ever had
before. She ate twice as much as any of her friends, hardly exercised,
and certainly never—what was the word the doctor had used—oh right,
purged. Gross. No, the way Suzie ate, she figured she should be fat.
Only she wasn’t.

Suzie
managed to eat most of the massive breakfast. Her stomach ached, but
maybe a little would stay this time. She wiped her mouth, rubbing her
fingers across the bones of her face. Doubtful.

“Are you ready for school?”

“Yes, Mom.”

“Go brush your teeth, and I’ll be in the car. Don’t forget, we’re picking you up at one for your appointment with Dr. Fox.”

“Yeah, I know.”

“Today’s your first day of eighth grade. Isn’t that exciting?”

Suzie
didn’t answer. What would her friends say? She’d spent the summer
avoiding them, dropping out of camp and swim club. She was embarrassed.
She honestly didn’t want to lose weight, and didn’t have an eating
disorder, but she appeared skeletal.

She brushed her teeth in silence, dragging her feet. She put on her backpack and got in the car.

“Honey, you’re nervous, but you’ll be fine. Tell people you’ve been sick, and—”

“I’m not sick,
Mom. If I was sick, the doctors would cure me. If I had an eating
problem, they’d work with me. I eat more than ever, and I hardly
exercise anymore. This doesn’t make any sense.” Suzie wiped a tear from
her eye.

“Are you sure this isn’t because of Bumper?”

Bumper.
The family beagle for ten years. He had died three months ago, about
the time Suzie had started losing weight. Mom believed the two were
connected. Dr. Fox agreed. Sure, Suzie missed Bumper, but that wasn’t
the problem.

“No, Mom, I was sad for a little while, but I never changed what I eat. If anything, I eat more now.”

“Susan,
you’ll be all right. I promise. Your father and I will continue to get
the finest doctors, until we figure out what’s wrong with you. Remember
what Dr. Fox said last time? For now, the best thing is to go to school
and be around other kids.”

She
sighed. Mom still didn’t understand, and if Mom and Dad didn’t relate,
her classmates would be even worse. They pulled up in front of school,
and she gave her mom a quick peck on the cheek.

“Don’t forget. One o’clock.” Mom smiled, trying to hide the strain in her eyes.

“Okay, Mom.”

“Suzie, my gawd, you look like death.”

Crystal
hadn’t changed. The smiling redhead with large blue glasses and the
ever-present smell of cherry bubblegum was her best friend. She was
grateful Crystal had spent the summer away. “Did you have a nice summer?
How was Colorado?”

“I’ve been sick,” said Suzie. Not a complete lie, obviously something was wrong with her, but she didn’t know what.

“Sick?” Her voice lowered to a whisper. “You look like you’re dying.”

“I’ll be fine.”

“Crystaaal. Suzieee,” shouted a voice from across the parking lot.

“Oh gawd, it’s Monica,” said Crystal. “Let’s go inside quick.”

Suzie
and her friend started to walk away, but the tall, lanky girl with
small eyes caught up to them. Monica. She wasn’t too bad, if you ignored
her whiny voice and her inane stories.

“Hiii guys,” said Monica. “I missed youuu this summer. Did you lose weight? The funniest thing happened the other day…”

Suzie
realized the worst of the day was over. She got teasing looks from the
kids and concerned frowns from the teachers, but like Monica, most
people were too wrapped up in their own little world to pay any
attention to her. Even Crystal eventually stopped asking questions.

“Tell me again, do you like the way you look?”

“I’m sorry, what?” she asked.

Suzie snapped to attention. The day had blurred by, and she was sitting in Dr. Fox’s office, wearing a hospital gown.

“Suzie, I asked if you like the way you look?”

Suzie
was cold and annoyed. The office smelled of bleach, and the fluorescent
light overhead hummed like a dying fly. Dr. Fox glanced up from her
notes and smiled a dry, lifeless smile she probably practiced in front
of a mirror.

“No,
Doctor.” She repeated the same answers she had given last time, and the
time before. “I despise the way I look. I’m a damned skeleton. You can
see every bone. I love to eat, I don’t purge, I hardly exercise, and I
actually feel fine.”

“Yes,
that’s the strangest part,” interrupted Dr. Fox. “Every test seems to
indicate that you’re at the peak of health. No lanugo, no joint issues,
no skin problems, and your stomach and the rest of you are actually
functioning fine. I’ve almost completely ruled out anorexia, but your
weight is still drastically low. It’s like your calories are vanishing
into some other dimension.” She laughed. “My husband wishes that would
happen with me.”

“May I get dressed now?”

“Susan,
I will get to the bottom of this. I have called a specialist in from
the West Coast, from San Francisco. He might be able to shed some light
on this condition. Your mother and I set up the appointment for next
Thursday.”

For the "Young At Heart"

Below are stories for the older crowd. Historical western romances, contemporary romances, and a paranormal romance! There is also a family drama and a non-fiction on my experience with solar. Just keep scrolling down!

The Sheriff and the Miner's Daughter

Charlene arrives in Jubilee Springs with several mail order brides coming to meet their prospective husbands. When Charlene asks Jim Hawkins, the local sheriff, the whereabouts of Amos Lehman, he thinks she is a gold digger. He claims he is trying to to keep her from ruining her life by marrying a man twice her age, but when it becomes clear Amos is her father, his interest takes a different turn.

Chase's Story

Book 10 of Grandma's Wedding Quilts

Mail Order Bride - Wanted

Hannah, Bride of Iowa, Book 29 of the historic American Mail Order Bride Series

Gabe, The Thornton Trilogy, Book 1

Gabe Thornton inherits the Double Bar Ranch from good friend and neighbor Bill (Pappy) Thomas, but there are conditions. Last Will and Testament states five hundred acres have been set aside for his only niece, or interested heirs. Molly Blackburn, who knows nothing about cattle ranching, shows up to claim her inheritance. Sparks fly! Will she give up her land or will she find more than just a cattle ranch in Bastrop?

The Ornament

Twelve years ago Jim Rustle packed up and left his home in Idaho and hasn’t looked back. He gets quite an awakening when Lisa Parker, whom he hadn’t seen in all those years, breaks into a business meeting and uses some colorful adjectives to tell him just what she thinks of him. Sparks fly between the two when he decides to follow Lisa home and sees what has happened in his absence. Is the anger stemming from the present, or from the past? It’s Christmas time. Can an ornament from years past help heal betrayals that have festered for years?

Revenge, The Cowboy Way

This is a story of love, hate, and revenge. The question is, whose revenge is it?

Jesse's Find

In the middle of nowhere, Jesse Mason finds a horse, a woman and an infant. The horse is dead and the woman has been shot. Why would somebody shoot a woman with a baby? More to the point, were they still looking for her?

Jesse's Nightmare - Book Two of the Jesse Series

The snow continues to pound the Kansas plains in late March. Something is ripping apart the livestock and animals and Jesse comes home to find his wife and daughter are missing!

Jesse's Heartbreak

Jesse and Ginny Mason’s world is shattered when Amanda Hill comes to Abilene, Kansas to try and take three-year old Sarah away from them. Little Sarah’s father died before she was born and his family wants the girl to come to Pennsylvania and live with them, and they have the all the money and expertise they need to make that happen! The Hill’s can offer the little girl prominence and station in life, while all Jesse and Ginny have to give is their complete devotion. Which will the Judge choose – money or love?

Justice Comes To Saline

Black smoke billows and a whistle blares, as the steam engine pulls into Salina, Kansas, delivering the town’s new school teacher, Victoria Stone. The people of Salina are caring and do all they can to make Victoria feel welcome and her students are finding their way into her heart. Then there’s the town’s sheriff, Jim Timmons, who is getting under her skin and turning every emotion she has inside out. But the truth is, Salina didn’t pick Victoria – She picked the town of Salina. And in her bag, Victoria isn’t toting books and school supplies. There is a score to settle in Salina, Kansas, and nothing or nobody is going to deter her from putting things right.

WESTERN ROMANCES

DO YOU ENJOY HISTORICAL WESTERN ROMANCES?The Pioneer Hearts Facebook group is a wonderful place for historical western romance authors and readers to discuss their favorite stories, recipes and photos. Join the group at www.facebook.com/groups/pioneerhearts.

Blame It On The Cherry

Julie Reed and Will Parker are soul mates. All through their high school years they talked about and planned their future together. It only took one night to destroy all they had. Julie won’t listen and moves away. Was it Will that ruined their future, or did Julie not love him enough? When Will finds her again will she give him another chance or will his deception stay buried deep inside her heart?

Her Cracked Heart

A second chance for love with a ready-made family is at Stephanie Warren’s fingertips, but ghosts of the past have a strong hold. Will she turn her back on happiness or can somebody break through her shell and help heal her cracked heart?

At What Price

What will a grandmother do to protect the ones she loves?

The Unwanted Christmas Guest

Elizabeth McMurphy is an up and coming high powered attorney and is after vengence, involving one of the richest and most powerful families in Colorado. Steve York is an obnoxious reporter that thinks the ice queen has gone too far and does all he can to get under her skin. When one of the worst blizzards in history, hits CO and leaves a hurt Steve York, stranded with Elizabeth in a mountain cabin, will she must decide to either take care of him, or throw him out to fend for himself.

Dugan's Creek

A devastated Heather Stone is headed to her sister's house for some TLC after her boyfriend of 3 years breaks up with her. "I need space. There is no sizzle in our relationship!" As if things weren't bad enough, her car dies on a lonely stretch of highway and she starts walking. She's hot, thirsty, and her feet are getting blisters. A sign says Dugan's Creek. She finds soothing cold, rushing water.....and so much more! This story is NOT for the kids!

Solar - One Family's Reality

It was going to cost $100,000 to bring electricity to our property line. We decided it was a no-brainer to go green. This is our story of our trip down Solar Lane. The pros and cons, and facts and fallacies!

Fox Tots Publishing

For the "Young"

Below are books for the beginning reader to the middle grade readers. Fairy tales to fantasy to time travel adventures! I have stories for the kiddos in your lives! Just keep scrolling down!

For the Early Readers

A delightful American tale about five-year old Ethan who is in Ms. Johnson’s Kindergarten class. He is new to the school and has not made any friends. Ethan and Timmy, a boy in his class, get in a fight over a soccer ball and both boys are sent to talk to the principal, Mr. Glumb. There are stories about this principal – scary stories! Are they true? Ethan and Timmy are about to find out!

A Story For Beginning and Young Readers

Sammy Bear goes on a search for his lost tail. He meets new friends and eats some of his favorite meals along the way. Will Sammy Bear make it home with his lost tail? At the end of the story are a few of Sammy's favorite bug recipes. Enjoy them with mom and dad or fool your friends with some delicious, creepy, bug recipes.

The Wickware Sagas

Strange things happen in Miss Wickware’s seventh grade history class. Lights flash, electricity zaps throughout the classroom, radio turns on by itself! But the most puzzling is that some of the students are transported back in time and come face to face with the person or subject that they are to do a report on. When asked about these happenings, students just aren’t talking. Word on the street points to old lady Wickware, herself. Is magic involved? Is she a witch? Alien? Or just an old lady who is passionate about history? As I said, nobody’s talking.

Riches to Rags, Book 5 of the Wickware Sagas

Dylan Jones, seventh grader at Langdon Middle School lives the good life. His family has money. He gets most everything he wants. Even so, everybody likes Dylan ’cause he is a happy go lucky kid. Miss Wickware, his seventh grade history teacher, tells the class they will be studying the United States in the late 1800 for the next few weeks. Everybody will be expected to present an oral report on a subject that is drawn from a box. Dylan draws The Orphan Train. A penniless Dylan finds himself at the train station in New York in 1875 and he is as scared and unsure as the children getting ready to ride the Orphan Train. How will Dylan make it when money is nowhere to be found?

Bumped Back In Time, Book 4 of the Wickware Sagas

Sammy Brown, winner of the first junior sailing regatta for kids, ages twelve to fourteen, is walking on air Tuesday, after being absent the previous day, due to the race. Miss Wickware, her history teacher, asks Sammy to stay after class because she needs to draw a subject out of a box and give an oral report on the drawn subject. “UHG” History and Sammy are not friends, but her good mood won’t be dampened until a fall and a bump on the head sends her back to 1814. It’s her expertise in sailing that allows Francis Scott Key to rescue an imprisoned friend from a British ship that leads to a historic battle and a famous poem!

Flash to the Past, Book 3 of the Wickware Sagas

Snooty, popular, Kristy Sawyer and nerdy brainiac, Larry Peables find themselves back in the 18 Century and meet a Revolutionary War heroine, and take part in a famous battle!

Ride of a Lifetime, Book 2 of the Wickware Sagas

Seventh grader and school bully, Jim Abernathy, is less than thrilled when he draws a boring girl to do a report on. He quickly learns a touch of humility when he storms out of his history class and into 18th Century, New York, where he meets up with Sybil Ludington. She shows him exactly what bravery is!

Billy Cooper's Awesome Nightmare

Billy finds out, on a Friday afternoon, that an oral report will be due on Monday, on the subject he draws from a box. Who the heck is William Tell? He figures he will do a quick computer search on this guy and will breeze through on this assignment. All that changes when Billy meets 14th century William Tell face to face!

The Wickware Sagas

Kids of today find themselves back in time, face to face, with historical heroes

The Bearded Dude in the Puzzle

An ancient puzzle is found while cleaning an old home. As the Taylor family works on the puzzle, strange things start to happen. An evil presence is making its way to the Taylor house, intent on making sure that puzzle never gets put together, no matter the cost, and it’s up to Bobby and Andrea to make sure that it does!

Hike Up Devil's Mountain

Three boys only hope is the witch that lives on Devil's Mountain

Hike Up Devil's Mountain

When the school bully is turned into a toad, two ten year old boys must climb Devil's Mountain to find the only person who can help them. Will they survive the trip?

A Float Down the Canal

Pam Simpson gets dumped on when her mom is called into work and she has to cancel her plans to babysit her brother and his friend. The second bomb is dropped when Pam is informed her prissy cousin is also being dropped of for Pam to entertain. The worst day of her life, turns into a day she will never forget and it all starts with a float down the canal!

50 Great Writers You Should Be Reading

I was one of the chosen!!

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About Me

I worked as an elementary school secretary for twenty-one years. I retired with my wonderful husband, to a fifty-four acre ranch, which is a constant work in progress. We live on solar and wind, which has been a real adjustment! On any given evening, the stars are an awesome sight and can be seen as far as the eye can see!